Bulgaria's government collapses in no-confidence vote

SOFIA: Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov's government collapsed on Wednesday in a no-confidence vote in parliament over its fiscal and economic policies, potentially setting the stage for a fresh round of elections.

Opposition parties and former ruling ally ITN toppled the coalition government that took office in December in a 123-116 vote, thrusting the European Union country into a new round of political turmoil amid a war in Ukraine and surging inflation.

Wednesday's vote meant Petkov's centrist PP party now has a second chance to propose a government to the parliament. If it fails to do so, two more attempts by other parties can be made before the president appoints a caretaker cabinet and calls snap elections.